SELF –REFLECTIONS IN NURSING PROFESSION

R. Sutha M.Sc Nursing

Associate professor , B. C.M College Of Nursing

What do you think- you become. What do you feel – you attract. What do you imagine –
you create.-Buddha

Caring, the basis of good nursing, depends on, knowing more about who you are.
Because we cannot help other people until, we are a bit clearer about ourselves. Becoming
self-aware is compulsory in the caring professions. The term self-reflection is related to the
self-consciousness and self-awareness.

Self-reflection is the activity of thinking about your own feelings and behaviour, and
reasons that may lie behind them (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus).
It is a kind of exercise to analyse oneself by their own thoughts by recalling the previous
activity done through deep introspection. “Becoming self-aware is a conscious process in
which we consider, our understanding of ourselves” (Rawlinson 1990). It comprises three
interrelated aspects: cognitive, affective and behavioural. To simplify it, these aspects can be
described as thinking, feeling and acting. For example, feelings about something that could
influence actions taken.

Importance of self-reflection in nursing:

To identify our strength and weakness:

Being self-aware enables us to identify our strengths and also those areas that can be
developed. If we do not know our good and bad points, then we are less likely to be able to
help others.

To establish effective communication:

Communication begins with nonverbal cues. The tone of the voice or inflection used
can be more influential than the words spoken. If we are unaware of our body language, for
example, presenting a closed posture, or not making eye contact, this could have a negative
impact or change the message received by the patient. Ways of overcoming this can be
learned, through self-reflection to establish the successful rapport.

To overcome the problem encountered:

When confronted with difficult situations in the working environment, we are

expected to behave professionally, although feelings of vulnerability and uncertainty may
challenge our perceived abilities. Being more self-aware can help us to cope in such
circumstances.

To set career goal:

 Effective career goals follow the S.M.A.R.T. model. That is, they are Specific,
Measurable, achievable, realistic and have a time line. Being self-aware person, helps us to
set and achieve the career goal.

To improve the personality:

The aspects of body language are more or less effective in different situations. For
example, do you fiddle with a pen or item of jewellery when speaking? Do you use your
hands to get your message across? All those behaviour going to affect the opposite person
mind while communicating to judge about the personality. Self-awareness helps to avoid
these distractors and improve the personality.

Method of developing effective self-reflective behaviour:

 Keeping reflective accounts

Keeping a reflective accounts in a diary enables, one to chart and record of one’s own
progress or areas needing further development.

Boud et al (1985) proposed useful practical tips to aid diary writing. According to
Boud et. al., while writing diary be honest. Write it as it is, not as it should be or it might be.
Have a positive approach rather than just being critical. Be spontaneous. Do not spend too
long on deciding how to write it. Express yourself in any way that is meaningful to you, such
as with diagrams or shorthand. It does not have to be written in a linear fashion. It is your
personal workbook so, underline, circle or doodle can be added to aid self-recall.

 Asking Reflective questions to yourself

Strengths – What is my strength? For example, am I well organised? Do I remember

things?
Weaknesses – What are my weaknesses? For example, am I easily distracted? Do I
need more practise with a particular skill?
Skills – What skills do I have and what am I good at?
Problems – What problems are there at work/home that may affect me?
Achievements – What have I achieved?
Happiness – Are there things that I am unhappy with or disappointed about? What
makes me happy?
Solutions – What could I do to improve in these areas?

Johari window:

The Johari window is a technique that helps people to understand better their
relationship with themselves and others. It was created by psychologists Joseph Luft (1916–
2014) and Harrington Ingham (1916–1995) in 1955.

Conclusion:
 As nurses journey through their career, they learn, grow, and appreciate that there is
not only one correct view of living one's health and well-being. Nurses must continue to ask
themselves reflective questions and of their patients. This will surely promote positive
advancement for nurses and their profession.

Reference:

Claire Thurgate, Supporting those who work and learn: A phenomenological research
study, Nurse Education Today, 61, (83), (2018).Retrieved from:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.

Boud, D. (1999). Avoiding the traps: Seeking good practice in the use of self-assessment
and reflection in professional courses. Social Work Education, 18, 121–132.

Leung, D., & Kember, D. (2003). The relationship between approaches to learning and
reflection upon practice. Educational Psychology, 23, 61–71.